X-ray apparatus



Dec. 26, 1933. l o. H. PIEPER X-RAY APPARATUS Filed May 11. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @y M7016@ am@ @gigi Patented Dee. ze, 1933 UNITI-:o STATES PATENT-. QFFICE* 1,941,270 X-RAY APPARATUS Oscar H. Pieper, Rochester, N. Y. Appiication May 11, 192s. serial N. 276,882 claims.v (01.' 25d-s4) My invention relates to X-ray apparatus and contemplates improvements to the end of safety in' handling while in operation. Y

In order to-accornplish this purpose, the de- 8 sideratum is a metallic container for the'tube, but thelproblems of high voltage isolation and of the necessary manipulation of the tube must be met before protection by such means can be realized. Y 10 AI provide a metallic container, and ground it,

and, in orderv to keep it within practical dimensions, I give it a spherical form in proximity to the high tension terminal of the X-ray tube, which terminal, in turn, I surround with a con- 16 centric spherical housing, experiment having shown that between spherical surfaces lesser distances are feasible Without discharge across the gap between, them. And the structure of my invention provides appropriate insulation of the high Voltage circuit in all other respects as well.

My structure accommodates the standardtube and does so in such a way that, although. the tube is enclosed, the usual cone, which identies the center line of the ray, is capable of the same range of adjustment as that which now obtains in the case of un-enclosed tubes, this being accomplished by the Aparticular mechanical constructions and arrangements of parts which constitute features of my invention. y

Moreover, as will appear, I give heed to sim- Yplicity and effectiveness of design and provide improved means of support and electric current supply, all to the ends of increased utility, practicability and safety to operator and patient.

My invention is'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is an elevational View of an X-ray structure embodying my invention, illustrating the means for supporting the assembly with whichv my invention has to do, this viewbeing supplemented by a diagrammatic showing of a typical circuit therefor;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and looking Vin the direction indicated by the arrows; and f Figure 3 is a cross sectional View taken on the Vplane of the line v3--3 of Figure 2 and looking in the'tdirection indicated by the arrows.

Referring rst to Figure 1, the main supporting arm, which extends fromthe,X-ray-apparatus, `is shown at 4, Vthis main supporting arm having Vvthe Aauxiliary supporting arm 5 Yslidably mounted thereon. I The downwardly extending kforearm Y 6 is Vpivotallymounted ,upon thefree end lof the necting with the` interior of 'the container as auxiliary, supporting arm'5, upon the axis at, a locking screw 7 being provided to hold vthe forearm in any adjusted position. The forearm 6 terminates in a supporting ring 7 in rwhich a vertically adjustable supporting tube 8 Vis 60 mounted, a thumb screw 9 being providedto set the tube 8 in any adjusted position. Y The lower end cf thetube 8, below thering 7, lis forked into tubularw branches 10 and 11 extending obliquelyV downwardly. A metallic container 12, 65 shownl in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3, is attached to the lower ends of the fork branches l0` and l1, the interior of these branchesy conclearly shown in Figure 3. 70 The container 12 is of tubular formation and is closed at one end by the hemi-spherical wall 13 and at its other end by a hemispherica1 cap M Y y In its middle portion, the container 12 is provided with an oblong slotv 15 whichV extends part way around the container, as best shown in Figure 2, and which has its sides lying in planes at right angles tothe axis of the container,

Within the container, rings 16 and `17, having By this'means the two rings maybe vdrawnr'together appropriately to clamp `the enlarged middle portion of the X- ray tube between them, felt pads 21, 2l being provided between the'Xf-rayV tube and the rings for cushioning` purposes. The respectiverings are disposed at the sides of the slot 15, as shown 'inFigure 3, and their peripheries are embraced by a collar 22 which serves 100 to close lthe slot whatever may be'the angular position vo f the rings within the range `o f action provided. This is clear from Figure2.-

The collar 22 is providedwith a circular opening surrounded fby'a rim 23 which' extends'V out- 105 wardly through the slot 15 upon an axis-intersecting the aXisof the X-ray tube and the container. An internally "threaded .supporting ring 24 fits intothe rimv 23v andis secured thereto by means of screws 25, 25. The usual X-ray 110 80 lperipheral anges, are mounted, as vwill appear cone, of hard rubber, shown at 26, is screwed into the' supporting ring 24, as best shown in Figure 2.

The collar 22 is held upon the rings 15 and 17 by means of screws 27, 27 threaded in nuts lodged in the rings, as indicated in Figure 3. FeltY rings 29, 29 lie between the inner surface of the container 12 and the rings 16 and 17, engaging preferably in grooves 30, 30 in the peripheries of the rings, as shown. By this means the X-ray tube is further cushioned relative to the container 12 and the rings 16 and 17 are permitted to ride easily in their angular movement.

The cone 26 is positioned to identify the center line of the ray from the focal spot and is manipulated to direct the rays where desired. For in-V stance, in dental work, it is usual for the operator to place the apex of the cone against or near the face of the patient, with its axis set in the desired direction of the rays for the purpose of producinga so-called radiograph upon the film held within the mouth of the patient. By reason of the adjustability of the parts 4, 5, 6 and 8, the container 12 can readily be brought to appropriate position, the ability of the tube 3 to move angularly about its own axis permitting the appropriate disposition of the axis of the container and therefore of the tube. The final adjustment, i. e., the adjustment of the cone, may then be made to any degree of nicety required. As shown in the drawings the axis of the cone has an adjustment through an angle or" about 115 degrees, this being determined by the length of the slot 15 and being indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2.

The filament end of the X-ray tube is provided with terminals 31, 31, which are connected in circuit by means of conductors 32, 32, leading through the tubular fork branch l1 and out through a convenient opening 33 provided at the yoke.

The high tension terminal 34 is provided with a radiator, as is usual in the art, the radiator in this instance, however, comprising iins of varying diameter, as `shown in Figure 3, in order to approximate an over-all spherical contour. Thus formed, the radiator 35 is surrounded by a spherical metallic housingV 36 disposed concentrically with the hemi-spherical end 13. The high tension conductor 36 enters the container 12 by way of the tubular support 8 and the tubular fork branch 10, being lodged in soft rubber tubing 37 passing through the tubular members 8 and 10. The lower end of the high tension conductor 36', which is of generous diameter, is provided with a socket 3S in kwhich. a spring pressed Contact plunger 39 is disposed, this plunger, as shown in Figure 3, engaging with the surface of the sphere 36 as part of the high voltage circuit. 1t will now be clear that as the X-ray tube 18 is adjusted angularly, the plunger 39 will ride upon the outer surface of the sphere 36, vmaking continuous contact therewith, in order to maintain the high voltage circuit whatever may be the adjustment of the X-ray tube.

The high voltage conductor 36' yleads to the top of the tubular support 8 where, at 40, the high tension wire 41 is connected. This high tension wire, supported in insulators 42, 42, mounted upon the main supporting arm 4 and forearm 5, respectively, ,leads back to the trans-V former in the apparatus.

I have shown in Figure 1, a typical circuit, the elements of which are provided with suitable legends making further descriptive matter with reference thereto unnecessary. Under ordinary conditions, the high voltage will not jump across the gap between the sphere 36 and the end 13 of the container, even though they are as closely related as the proportions shown indicate, this being due, as before pointed out, to the spherical forrnation of the gap terminals. Moreover, in the event of an abnormal condition, a discharge across the gap would be harmless, since the high tension circuit is grounded and since the jump is to the container which is also grounded, thus having no tendency to go to a person touching the container. The container may therefore be readily handled while the tube is in operation.

I claim:

1. In X-ray apparatus, a supporting arm, a grounded metallic tubular container adjustably mounted on said arm and vhaving a slot in the cylindrical wall thereof, a supporting structure movably mounted within said container and having a focusing member extending through said slot, an X-ray tube isolated in said container in said supporting structure, a iilament circuit for said 'X-ray tube, and a high tension circuit for said X-ray tube, said high tension circuit being grounded.

2. In X-ray app ratus, a supporting arm, a

grounded metallic tubular container adjustably 165 mounted on said arm and having an opening in theY cylindrical wall thereof, an X-ray tube rotatably mounted in said container, said container surrounding said X-ray tube apart from other apparatus, a focusing member mounted to rotate with said X-ray tube and extending through said opening for movement therein, a filament circuit for said X-ray tube, andV a high tension circuit for said X-ray tube, said high tension circuit being grounded.

3. In an X-ray tube mounting, a tubular housing having a slot in the cylindrical wall thereof, an annular supporting structure, the outer periphery of said structure being concentric withY and having bearing relation to the inner surface of said housing, and an X-ray tube having its midportion fitting in said supporting structure.

4. In an X-ray tube mounting, a tubularcontainer having a slot in the cylindrical Wall thereof,

a pair of rings of insulating material mounted for rotary movement in said container, and an X-ray tube having the enlarged central portion thereof clamped between said rings.

5. In an X-ray tube mounting, a tubular container having a slot in the cylindrical wall thereof, a pair of rings of insulating material mounted for rotary movement in said container, an X-ray tube having the enlarged central portion thereof clamped between said rings, and a cone mounted upon said rings and extending through said slot.

6. 1n an X-ray tube mounting, a tubular container having a slot in the cylindrical wall thereof, a pair of rings of insulating material disposed within said container, feit packing rings between` said first-named rings and said cylindrical wall, 14() whereby said rst named rings may be moved angularly, and an X-ray tube having the enlarged central portiony thereof clamped between said first named rings. v

7. 1n an X-ray tube mounting, a tubular container having a slot in the cylindrical wallthereof, a pair of rings of insulating material mounted for rotary movement in said container, a collar embracing and secured to said rings and having a lateral supporting rim extending through said 150 supported co-axially Within said container and.

having a high voltage terminal radiator surrounded by a metallic spherical housing disposed concentrically within said hemi-spherical end.

10. In combination, an X-ray tube having its high voltage terminal provided with a radiator comprising fins of varying diameter toV present a spherical contour, a metallic spherical housing fitting over said'radiator, a container enclosing said X-ray tube and having a hemi-spherical end disposed concentrically with and distanced from said spherical housing.

11. In combination, a tubular container having hemi-spherical ends and having a slot in the cylindrical Wall thereof, a supporting structure mounted in said container for rotary movement therein, an X-ray tube mounted in said supporting structure co-axially With said container, and with its focal spot in the zone of said slot, the

high voltage terminal of said X-ray tube being enclosed by a spherical housing disposed concentrically with one of said ends.

12. In combination, a metallic container with a hemifspherical end, an X-ray tube rotatably supported in said container and having its high voltage terminal enclosed by a metallic housing with a spherical surfaceA in said henri-spherical end, a conductor leading to said high voltage terminal, and wiping contact means between said conductor and said spherical surface.

13. In combination, a metallic `container with a hemi-spherical end, an X-ray tube supported in said container and having its high voltage terminal enclosed by a spherical housing in said hemi-spherical end, said tube being capable ofV angular adjustment on its own axis, a high voltage conductor leading into said container and having wiping contact upon said spherical housmg.

14. In combination, a metallic container with a hemi-spherical end, an X-ray tube supported in said container and having its high voltage terminal enclosed by a spherical housing in said henri-spherical end, said tube being capable of angular adjustment on its own axis, a high Voltage conductor leading into said container, and a spring pressed plunger for" the end of said high voltage conducto-r engaging said' sphericall housing. y

15. In combination, a tubular container mounted upon a tubular fork extending from a tubular support, an X-ray tube mounted for rotary movement within said container, a soft rubber hose disposed in one branch of said fork, a high tension wire passing through said tubular support and said hose to Within said container where itis connected to the high voltage terminal of said X-ray tube, and conductors for the filament of said X-ray tube leading fromterminals at Athe other end thereof through the other branch of said fork. l OSCAR I-I. PIEPER. 

